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| A cotton farmer |
Cotton farmers from Yatta, Machakos County have received a boost after a local textile industry reviewed prices to Sh72 up from Sh50, ending years of frustration by brokers.
The farmers from the semi-arid region welcomed the increase saying at least they are assured of better returns compared to when they used to farm maize and beans.
Led by David Kitiku from Kiwanzani area in Ndalani they said the government commitment in cotton farming, and support they are receiving from the apparel company will make many more farmers to turn to growing the crop.
Kitiku who received Sh50, 000 from selling 700 kilograms of cotton from his one-acre farm said he will be able to pay school fees for his children and invest in other projects.
“I have never earned such an amount of money from farming maize and beans because of the frustrations of poor rains. I now will have to expand my cotton acreage to get higher yields next year,” Kitiku said.
He was speaking when Thika Cloths Mills that has been supporting farmers with seeds, pesticides and other farm inputs was buying their produce in the area yesterday.
The CEO Tejal Dothia said the support to farmers is in line with the government’s renewed focus on cotton farming.
Tejal, while addressing the farmers, reassured them of the company’s continued support, saying their collaboration with the government will ensure timely delivery of seeds and other inputs.
“Last season alone, the company gave out Sh50 million worth of seeds to cotton-growing counties. The government has procured even more seeds this year, so we anticipate a smoother planting season,” Tejal said.
The Region’s Cotton Growers Cooperative Representative Francis Kilango called for more support in form of pesticides and other farm inputs to farmers from both the national and county governments.
Kilango, who doubles up as the Chairman Uvouni Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society called for more partnerships to push the cotton prices to over Sh100 per kilo.
“The revival of cotton farming and the support that we are getting is welcome. This has made several farmers especially from semi-arid areas to at least earn,” he said.
On provision of farm inputs, he called for streamlined policies to ensure all farmers get seeds early to improve yields.
“For instance, Makueni County, another semi-arid region that depends on cotton farming didn’t plant cotton as they used to due to the unavailability of seeds. This should not happen when the country is keen on revitalizing the Cotton industry,” he said.
By Muoki Charles